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Jabari going top 2 so that's definitely a pipe dream considering how improved Charlotte has looked
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NBA comparisons for top 10 freshmen
Each week we release the Freshman Tracker, and each week there are new names and plenty of movement.
Last week we went through the weaknesses of each player in the top 10. This week we give you an NBA comparison for each guy.
Check back each week as we’ll have updates on how they did on the floor and give you the rundown on the top first-year players in the country, in a season in which the young guys have taken center stage.
1. Jabari Parker, F, Duke Blue Devils
6-foot-8, 235 pounds
The Blue Devils had the week off.
Comparison: Glenn Robinson. “He’s a less athletic version of the Big Dog. Can score in so many different ways.” -- NBA executive
This week: Monday vs. Gardner Webb; Thursday vs. UCLA at Madison Square Garden Stats: 22.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 47 percent 3-point shooting | Previous rank: 1
2. Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky Wildcats
6-9, 250 pounds
Randle had another double-double in the Wildcats' win against Boise with 17 points and 11 boards, but struggled in their loss against North Carolina, finishing with just 11 points and five rebounds.
Comparison: Zach Randolph. “Julius has some small forward skills and is more athletic. They are both strong and tough, and both lefties. Both are aggressive scoring the ball.” -- NBA executive
This week: Saturday vs. Belmont
Stats: 17.2 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.3 APG | Previous rank: 2
3. Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona Wildcats
6-9, 225 pounds
Gordon’s numbers aren’t quite indicative of his play this season. He had 11 points and four boards in a win over New Mexico State and was terrific on both ends in Arizona's win at Michigan. He finished with 14 points and five rebounds, but also locked down Glenn Robinson III defensively in the second half.
Comparison: Kenneth Faried. “I’m not sure this is who Gordon wants to be, but this is who he needs to be. He’s a tremendous athlete who brings toughness and energy -- and could be a terrific rebounder at our level.” -- NBA executive
This week: Thursday vs. Southern University
Stats: 12.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG | Previous rank: 3
4. Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas Jayhawks
6-8, 200 pounds
Wiggins was tremendous in the Jayhawks' loss in Gainesville, going for a career-high 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. However, he was a nonfactor in their victory over New Mexico, finishing with 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Comparison: Rudy Gay. “He’s a long, athletic wing who is a decent shooter, but doesn’t have that killer instinct. Rudy’s never been a star, and I could see that being the case with this kid as well.” -- NBA executive
This week: Saturday vs. Georgetown
Stats: 15.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG | Previous rank: 4
5. Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse Orange
6-2, 180 pounds
The Canadian point guard and the Orange had the week off.
Comparison: Andre Miller. “He’s not quite as big, but he’s got an old-school game, knows how to run a team and picks his spots when he scores.” -- NBA executive
This week: Sunday at St. John’s; Friday vs. High Point
Stats: 11.3 PPG, 4.9 APG, 3.2 RPG | Previous rank: 6
6. Jordan Mickey, PF, LSU Tigers
6-8, 220 pounds
He played only once this past week, but Mickey had a big game with 25 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in a rout over Louisiana-Monroe.
Comparison: Patrick Patterson. “He’s big and strong, and is a decent athlete. Mickey could be a solid role guy in the NBA because he’s got size, strength and is fairly versatile.” -- NBA executive
This week: Wednesday at Texas Tech; Saturday vs. UAB
Stats: 14.7 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.8 BPG | Previous rank: 9
7. Joel Embiid, C, Kansas Jayhawks
7-0, 250 pounds
The Cameroon native struggled in the Jayhawks' loss to Florida, finishing with six points and six rebounds. But he bounced back with 18 points, six boards and four blocks in a win against New Mexico.
Comparison: Andrew Bynum. “Bynum was raw early on when he came out of high school and was a work in progress defensively, but they both keep the ball high on the catch, are able to get space and get nice extension on their jump hook. Both showed patience on the block.” -- NBA executive
This week: Saturday vs. Georgetown
Stats: 9.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.4 BPG | Previous rank: 7
8. Eric Mika, C, BYU Cougars
6-10, 230 pounds
The Cougars big man had 15 points and six rebounds in a win over Prairie View and went for a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in a loss at Utah.
Comparison: Kris Humphries. “He has similar size and athleticism. Neither is much of a shooter at that age.” -- NBA executive
This week: Saturday at Oregon
Stats: 14.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG | Previous rank: 8
9. Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana Hoosiers
6-10, 240 pounds
Vonleh was average in two games this week, scoring eight points in both a win against Oakland and a loss to Notre Dame in Indianapolis, and averaging eight boards in the two contests.
Comparison: Tristan Thompson. “Neither is much of a scorer, although Vonleh is better on the offensive end. Both are long, wiry strong and their strength is rebounding the ball.” -- NBA executive
This week: Friday vs. Nicholls State
Stats: 12.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG | Previous rank: 6
10. Nigel Williams-Goss, PG, Washington Huskies
6-3, 185 pounds
He’s back in the top 10 after averaging 13.5 points and five assists in a pair of games this past week.
Comparison: Matthew Dellavedova. “He’s an average athlete who knows how to play. Delly was a better shooter, but both of these guys use angles, know how to play in the pick-and-roll -- and will have trouble guarding at the next level.” -- NBA executive
This week: Tuesday vs. Tulane
Stats: 13 PPG, 5 APG, 3.9 RPG | Previous rank: NR
Maybe, but I'm almost certain it was meant as an offensive side of the ball comparisonBig Dog Robinson couldn't play NO D as in NO D, thats whats bad
Australian Institute of Sport6'10 wingspan for Exum as well and he can run the point
Where are they building these kids?
Glenn Robinson though?
Glenn Robinson though?
Dudes must be 90's babies to question Big Dog. Dude was a killer on offense and had a bag of different ways to score, very similar to 'Bari.
Only difference, as someone alluded to, is the defensive side of things, but Big Dog used to get after it rebounding every now and then too.
Exaggeration muchEmbiid is more fluid of an athlete than Bynum can ever dreaming being
I actually agree with him.Exaggeration much
I see you got a short term memory